Western Visayas police to probe death of police recruit

Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, director of the Western Visayas regional police, has ordered an investigation on the death of a police recruit who collapsed while undergoing physical fitness test in Negros Occidental.

Bulalacao said the investigation is meant on not only finding out what happened but also to determine what could have gone wrong and eventually prevent the repeat of the same incident.

Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao(PNP / MANILA BULLETIN)

He identified the 22-year old police recruit as Police Officer 1 Frenz Galen Samillano Frades, a recruit from San Jose town of Antique.

Based on the investigation, Frades and his fellow recruits were undergoing the Public Safety Basic Course at a4ound 7 p.m. on Tuesday when he suddenly collapsed.

“He was taken to a hospital in Bacolod City and was later transferred to another hospital for full medical attention but he died the following day,” said Bulalacao.

The medical examination revealed that he suffered from ‘heat stroke vs sub arachnoid hemorrhage’ and the cause of death was later confirmed to be hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or brain injury due to asphyxia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.

“While the training team, composed of uniformed PNP officers performed their duties under the presumption of regularity, as a matter of procedure, due investigation will be conducted to ascertain the complete facts of the incident,” said Bulalacao.

“While it is presumed that PO1 Frades was physically fit for the training as endorsed by the health service unit after undergoing the required medical tests, we will carefully investigate this incident to prevent the occurrence of the same in the future,” he added, even as he ordered a more thorough screening process for the recruits.

It was learned that Frades was endorsed for training after passing all the required medical tests to determine his fitness to rigorous training programs.

Part of the rigorous training program is the commando training which is now being required by the national police leadership.

“We are extending our sincerest sympathy to the family of PO1 Frades and we are assuring them that all benefits and claims due his heirs will be processed and be given the soonest time possible,” said Bulalacao.